Summary Information

Repository
George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011
Creator
Fessenden, Joseph P., (Joseph Palmer), 1792-1861
Title
Joseph Palmer and Phebe Beech Fessenden papers
ID
M060
Date [inclusive]
1803-1893, undated
Extent
0.75 linear feet
Language
Abstract
The papers contain 370 pieces of correspondence (1803-1893, n.d.); essays; a commencement part and Bowdoin term bill of William G. Barrows; and ephemeral materials.

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Joseph Palmer and Phebe Beech Fessenden Papers, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine

Biographical/Historical Note

Joseph Palmer Fessenden (Bowdoin 1818) was born on October 24, 1792. He was a Congregationalist clergyman in Kennebunkport (1820-1829) and in South Bridgton (1829-1861), and he advocated the church's taking a more active role on behalf of temperance and the abolition of slavery.

Fessenden married Phebe Perkins Beech (b. Oct. 20, 1796) on November 30, 1819. Although they had no children of their own, they adopted a nephew, William Griswold Barrows (1821-1886, Bowdoin 1839), and two nieces, Mary B. Frezell (1828-1855) and Phoebe F. Beech (1834-1861). Joseph Fessenden died on February 13, 1861; Phebe Beech Fessenden died on February 21, 1870.

More information on the Fessenden family is available in the Fessenden Collection, the Joseph Fessenden Sermons, and the Fessenden Genealogical Material.

Scope and Content

The papers contain 370 pieces of correspondence (1803-1893, n.d.); essays; a commencement part and Bowdoin term bill of William G. Barrows; and ephemeral materials.

Administrative Information

Publication Information

 George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011

3000 College Station
Brunswick, Maine, 04011
(207) 725-3288
scaref@bowdoin.edu

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Collection Inventory

 M060.1 Correspondence, 1803-1893, undated   0.6 linear feet

Series Description:

Consists of correspondence (1803-1893 and undated), including many from William Griswold Barrows. Notable correspondents include William Allen, Kiah Bailey, John S. Tenney, Samuel Fessenden, and William Pitt Fessenden.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.
Box Folder
1 1-71

1803 - 1893 
1 72-73

n.d. 
1 74

Photocopies of William Griswold Barrows letters held elsewhere [NO COPYING PERMITTED] 

 M060.2 Family Essays, Documents, etc., 1816-1839, undated   0.15 linear feet

Series Description:

Consists of essays, a commencement part by W. G. Barrows, a lock of Phebe Beech Fessenden's hair, and other ephemeral material.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.
Box Folder
1 75

Biographical material on T.P. Beech. 
1 76

Documents: miscellaneous 
1 77

Essays: school and college essays by William Griswold Barrows 
1 78

Essays: Bowdoin Commencement part by William Griswold Barrows 
1 79

Financial materials: Bowdoin term bills of William Griswold Barrows 
1 80

Lock of Phebe Beech Fessenden's hair 
1 81

Printed ephemera: John Hubbard broadside 
1 82

Statement by Rev. Asa Rand concerning the memoir of Rev. G. Payson, Portland, 1823 Dec 10